| Author | Message | ||
     Evaddave |
EZ, I can give you a little report of comparison between the Blast and the XB9S. The good thing here is that they're both yellow, so there's no dispute over the "color horsepower."  My first impression was that riding the Blast is like being a part of a well-balanced machine. I really felt like I was "in" the Blast. The XB, on the other hand, felt like I was trying to hold onto a jet engine. The acceleration on the (bone-stock 2001) Blast I'd describe as adequate. Faster than most cars, but not awe-inspiring. On the XB, when I'd shift at 3k RPM during break-in, my only words were, "OH....MY....GAWD!" It felt like more than twice the pull of the Blast. Now that the XB is broken in, I'm working the RPMs up a bit. Acceleration between 3k and 4k feels as different as moving from the Blast to XB--it feels like it's pulling twice as hard. And it's still pulling...when does it stop?!?! In the twisties, both bikes are very well balanced, but I find that the XB turns in slightly more willingly. This is probably just me, and I'd bet it's due to the higher seating position on the XB. And in parking lot performance, the XB gets a couple more exclamation points. Where people would comment on the Blast, "that's a cool bike!" and the comments on the XB are, "that's a cool bike!!!" Or, perhaps my favorite comment so far, from a guy on a Japanese cruiser: "That thang shore is differnt!" | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Congrats on the new XB. It not you, the XB is 3 inches shorter than the Blast so it should turn in more willingly! Be careful,WFO (throttle wide open) on the XB & P3 will yield entirely different results! | ||
| Darthane |
EZ - my personal experences on the XB9R vs the Blast: Obviously, the power and speed are some big ones. The Blast is fast enough, but nothing to write home to mom about. A good sports car can smoke the Blast, not so by a long shot on the XB. Evaddave - if you think the XB9 pulls from 3-4K, try 4.5-7. It's phenomenal. I try to ride right around 4-5K all the time unless I'm just putting around, these bikes LOVE that RPM range. Seating position is another major one. The XB*S I've ridden did not 'feel' all that different from my Blast, although there are several. Mainly I just felt higher. The XB*R on the other hand is a completely different experience. Leaning over the front as much as you do inspires a very different 'world-view' while riding, I think. I relax more on the Blast, and not just due to the position, but more the attitude. When I get on the Firebolt I want to wind it up and GO. As for handling, they're both very capable machines. The Blast feels much, much lighter than the spec sheet differences between the pair would indicate, primarily, I think, to a lower center of gravity. I can throw the Blast around without pause or problem, but the Firebolt wants less input from my upper body to turn and more total body shifting to get it set. I'm more confident on the Blast at lower speeds than I am on the Firebolt, a product of the lower CoG, upright position, and much lower power output. I've never felt like the Blast was going to spin the wheel out from under me if I nailed it in a corner...the Firebolt has scared me a couple times dancing the rear end when I got on it. Lean angle is another one - the Firebolt will just go and go and go over, you drag things on a stock Blast pretty quickly, and can get onto the sprocket if you push it (which is a shame, cause the bike could handle more lean if not for that without a problem). ...I miss my bikes...the Blast and the Firebolt. -=sigh=- ...I'm thinking of adding a 1999 Yamaha YZF R6 to the stable in Fall, too! | ||
| Evaddave |
Thanks, Erik, although I wouldn't call it new any more. I got it at the end of '03--I had a coupon burning a hole in my pocket. <-- (insert smiley here.) Censor software had an issue with a colon-banana smiley followed by the word It. It'll be a while before I try WFO on the XB. I've broken the bike in, but I'm still a newbie, and I need to break myself in. I'm slowly working myself up the rev range. Darthane, I'm just knocking on the door of that sweet spot; can't wait to get there!} | ||
| Ezblast |
Cool! | ||
| Light_keeper |
Now that the weather is better took the last week off. Put the lower (S2 I believe) handle bars on and new avon rear tire. (got 2215 out of the dunlop) So far the whole thing feels and handles much better. Spent some time at Meridith HD in Meridith New Hampster ( Its near my daughters house) for the Buell demo day. Got to meet Eric Buell and rode the XB9S. Sweeeet. I do agree that it felt more like on the bike than in the bike but after a few miles it was not uncomfortable. I also rode the low and it felt a little better but was able to find the comfort zone a little quicker. I think I would go for the low over the standard. The folks at Meridith HD were great. Even though I did not buy the bike there they have gone out of their way to listen and help me. They have a group of Buell riders working there so that helps. When I mention that I have a Blast no one turns up their nose like at some other places. | ||
| Robertb |
I'm a new Blast owner (2002). I am aware that the Blast transmission is from the HD Sportster. Is the engine a completely new design, or is it derived from an existing engine (HD or other)? Thanks. | ||
| Sarodude |
The Blast motor is sort of a cousin to the Sportster motor. Aside from the obvious lack of cylinder, it has a shorter stroke (Blast is 3.125" vs the Sporty's 3.8125" ). There are a bunch of detail differences - but the bottom line is that there IS a family resemblance... -Saro | ||
| Dansherman |
Hey all, it's been a long time since I've posted anything.. I've been out of the country for two years, haven't been riding cause the bikes at home. Anyway, I'm getting married this fall so the bike has to go.. All the details are in the classifieds section. Check it out! -- dan | ||
| Robertb |
What is a good method to remove a Blast decal (from the flyscreen). Thanks. | ||
| Light_keeper |
My fingernail worked ok, then wiped down with alcohol. left no scratches looks better. Sandy | ||
| Ezblast |
Wave a hair dryer across a few times on low and usually they peal right off. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Low or high the HD (hair dryer) works best.Probably wont need the alcohol either (externally)! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Okay, is it the head injury or did Naustins post disappear? (Knowledge vault - grasshopper have many questions 5/14 5:08pm) | ||
| Ezblast |
Yup - whats up? GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I guess he deleted it for some reason!? | ||
| Ezblast |
No - I think what happened is that he linked to the main section through our KV so when he posted it showed here. GT - JBOTDS! EZ edited by ezblast on May 14, 2004 | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Well, beats me as to where it is!I know he had Blast specific questions.Is this somehow related to the new format? edited by gearheaderiko on May 15, 2004 | ||
| Ezblast |
I don't know how many people remember Lou/Ravensmith22 - well he's pretty seriously hurt. I'd like all of you to keep him in your good wishes, please - he 's a good guy - I talked to him a few times in the past, and he'll be going through a rough patch for a while - he's broken a lot of bones - you can contact him through: Lou Conrad c/o St. Paul Harley Davidson/Buell 2899 Hudson rd. St. Paul, Mn. 55128 Take care out there! GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Does St Paul have a e-mail address we could send too? (for those of us who still dont write so well). I will send to his personal email otherwise. Keep us posted if you can. | ||
| Ezblast |
No and chances are he won't be writing for a bit - both arms is in that list of bones - but I'm sure just the same he'll appreciate all the well wishing we send - so fire away! GT - JBOTDS! EZ edited by ezblast on May 15, 2004 | ||
| Rex |
EZ Blast...you folks going to be at American Sport BikeN in June? REX | ||
| Swampy |
Hey, does American Sport Bike make anything to fit the Blast? The only thing I found was the Kevlar jeans, but I want a black pair. | ||
| Rex |
what I think would be cool...find a wrecked blast and a wrecked XB Buell...then merge the Blast motor into the XB frame.....pump up the power some, I think it would run great and look cool....just a thought....rex | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Welcome to the Dark Side, Rex! I would hope that if anybody here see's a line on an XB chassis,used CJ frame,or suitable hardtail frame(short frame, set up for an XB or P3 engine) they'll make some noise!Cheap of course! Only the truly obsessed would spend a lot of money to buy an XB chassis then drop a single in it! That doesn't describe anyone here...or does it? ps to Rex: your profile is, well, uh , blank?! GearitchingtorideheadErikO | ||
| Ezblast |
Rex - that is what we are waiting for - 550cc w/XB head and revs, FI and that tuned exhaust - should come in at 350lbs - yup - that would be the ticket! Aftermarket can take it from there for a single - betch ya they get serious with a 720cc kit stage 3 complete, then add one supercharger - ala that british unit in the quick board and zoom! Ahhh to dream! Got Thump?! Just Blasting on the Dark side! EZ (and so my dark side wispers and with a little nitrious you would have a single capable of over a 100hp at the rear! - cue maniacal laughter!!!!) edited by ezblast on May 16, 2004 | ||
| Robertb |
Thanks for the replies about removing decals. | ||
| Ezblast |
No problem Rob and welcome to the home of the Buell Blast! GT 0 JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Joey |
I love my exhaust! I'm putting along, about 40 MPH in 4th gear. A squirrel moseys across the road in front of me. He's still a foot away from the edge as I pass. I go WOT, and the squirrel is a sudden fit of spasmotic motion from the noise! I haven't seen something so funny since the Best of the Best of World's Funniest Animals! I wish I could better describe it! | ||
| Naustin |
Can someone tell me what the technical definition of a Café Racer is? I like the look, but what is the fundamental key to the design philosophy... |
